Solar Producing Greener Energy and Free Electricity – Myths and Facts

If you are hesitant about investing in a residential solar power system, small used solar panels may be exactly what you are interested in. Less expensive than larger panels, barrier much less powerful; as an report about solar energy, however, they can be perfect for the homeowner the ones won’t be quite ready entirely solarize his or her home.

Small Solar Panels Don’t Create a lot of Energy

As you can imagine, a small solar panel will normally have fewer watts than a larger panel. Experts in the Solar Guide, for example, note which the two square foot panel would typically produce about 50 watts, while an eight square foot solar panel would generate more in neighborhood of 190 watts. Panels cost per watt, and you should be able to rough idea for this type and number of household items a specialized panel will be able to power from the idea description. For comparison purposes, let’s make use of the average California installation of 3100 watts, which typically powers a substantial residence. Next special example, 200 watts certainly doesn’t sense that it will power much more than a couple of light bulbs. For example, the Grape Solar 880 watt system, in accordance with the product’s manufacturer, is capable of powering a 15 cubic foot refrigerator and nothing other than you. As mentioned previously, the cost of these smaller panels represents a much smaller investment than would a large panel array, and are infinitely expandable, too.

Small Solar Panel Kits

The Grape Solar 880 watt is actually one example within a small solar panel kit that are used as a associated with “starter” solar system for homeowners. More commonly, these kinds of kits are simply by recreational vehicle owners and boating enthusiasts to power on-board components and appliances by keeping the car battery bank fully charged. These particular kits usually contain panels rated anywhere from 50 to 440 watts, depending upon how heavily the vehicle or boat can be used as well as how many appliances are on game board. Larger, more powerful systems will also need to have greater number of batteries as well as an inverter. The panels in these kits are generally the 12-volt type, will certainly boat and RV components and accessories use 12 volts of DC electric power. Inverters become necessary when appliances run on household current, or AC power.

Small Panels are perfect for Remote Areas

Another common use for small solar panel systems is to power an off-the-grid lodge or cabin. This is a low-cost and low maintenance method of keeping a backup battery bank charged in order to power several DC appliances. Free Sun Power shows an 800-watt system that closely resembles the Grape Solar kit, using eight 100-watt panels. For an emergency power backup system, a configuration of several 150-watt panels tend to used, depending upon the power required. For outdoor accessories such as security lights, electric fences or water fountains, smaller panels are often used. Smaller are still the solar panels that power electric exhaust and vent fans, as well as solar cell phone and laptop chargers. In fact, backpacks, laptop carrying cases and messenger bags are now provided with built-in solar panels with which to charge your mobile devices. Small-scale solar living is gaining momentum with each passing day!